Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL) which recently got its 3rd carrier in the 800 Mhz spectrum band from the Department of Telecom (DoT) earlier this month has said that it does not agree with the recommendations of TRAI specific to the 800 MHz spectrum band.

It said that the recent TRAI recommendations favor the incumbents running 2G networks.

‘The said recommendations have effectively blocked SSTL’s future growth path in India both in terms of expanding within its existing 9 circles and to other circles’, SSTL said in statement on Thursday.

Trai had clarification to Department of Telecom ( DoT) reiterated that there should be no auction for spectrum in 800 MHz band, used by CDMA  players, as there was no demand for these radiowaves in the last auction.
 
SSTL said that the regulator has not provided any roadmap for MTS to acquire additional spectrum within 800 MHz. This is clearly unfair and discriminatory and goes against the spirit of providing a level playing field to India’s only pure play CDMA operator.
 
“This is clearly unfair and discriminatory and goes against the spirit of providing a level playing field to India’s only pure play CDMA operator”, it said.

In March 2013 spectrum auctions, SSTL had won 3 carriers of 1.25 Mhz each in eight circles i.e. Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Kolkata, Tamil Nadu, UP (West) and West Bengal. In addition, SSTL already has 3 carriers of spectrum within 800 Mhz band in its Rajasthan circle and already provides Rev B Phase II data services within the same circle.

SSTL on Wednesday successfully launched its 3GPlus service based on EVDO Rev B phase II technology, this again is the latest testament of Company’s commitment to its customers.